Kit System For Producing A Roadable Aircraft

Abstract

A roadable aircraft includes an automobile; a retractable wing arrangement secured to the automobile that is movable between an extended flight configuration and a retracted non-flight configuration; an engine and propeller assembly secured to the automobile; and a tail arrangement secured to the automobile that is movable between an extended flight position and a retracted non-flight position. The retractable wing arrangement, the engine and propeller assembly and the tail arrangement comprise components of a kit that may include a frame configured to secure the components of the kit to the automobile. The frame may include an upper frame member to which the engine and propeller assembly is secured, and a pair of side frame members that extend downwardly from opposite ends defined by the upper frame member and that are configured to be engaged with a frame of the automobile.

1 . An aircraft, comprising:
 an automobile including an interior passenger area; and   a retractable wing arrangement secured to the automobile, wherein the retractable wing arrangement is movable between an extended flight configuration and a retracted non-flight configuration;   an engine and propeller assembly secured to the automobile; and   a tail arrangement secured to the automobile, wherein the tail arrangement is movable between an extended flight position and a retracted non-flight position.   
     
     
         2 . The aircraft of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable wing arrangement, the engine and propeller assembly and the tail arrangement comprise components of a kit. 
     
     
         3 . The aircraft of  claim 2 , wherein the kit further includes a frame configured to secure the components of the kit to the automobile. 
     
     
         4 . The aircraft of  claim 3 , wherein the frame includes an upper frame member to which the engine and propeller assembly is secured, and a pair of side frame members that extend downwardly from opposite ends defined by the upper frame member and that are configured to be engaged with a frame of the automobile. 
     
     
         5 . The aircraft of  claim 4 , wherein the tail arrangement is secured to the frame and is movable relative to the frame between the extended flight position and the retracted non-flight position. 
     
     
         6 . The aircraft of  claim 3 , wherein the retractable wing arrangement comprises a left wing section and a right wing section, wherein in the extended flight configuration the left and right wing sections extend outwardly from left and right sides, respectively, of the automobile and wherein in the retracted non-flight configuration the left and right wing sections are positioned one on top of the other above the automobile and in alignment with a longitudinal axis defined by the automobile. 
     
     
         7 . The aircraft of  claim 6 , wherein an inner end defined by the left wing section is secured to a first rotatable turret via a first linkage, and wherein an inner end defined by the right wing section is secured to a second rotatable turret via a second linkage, wherein the first and second turrets are operable to rotate the left and right wing sections, respectively, between the extended flight configuration and the retracted non-flight configuration, and wherein the first and second linkages are configured to position the left and right wing sections one on top of the other when the left and right wing sections are in the retracted non-flight configuration. 
     
     
         8 . A kit system for converting an automobile for flight, comprising:
 a frame;   an engine and propeller assembly carried by the frame;   a retractable wing arrangement carried by the frame, wherein the retractable wing arrangement is movable between an extended flight configuration and a retracted non-flight configuration; and   a tail carried by the frame, wherein the tail arrangement is movable between an extended flight position and a retracted non-flight position;   wherein the frame is configured and arranged to be secured to the automobile and wherein the engine and propeller assembly, the retractable wing arrangement and the tail function to provide flight for the automobile when the retractable wing arrangement and the tail are in the extended flight configuration and function to allow road operation of the automobile when the retractable wing arrangement and the tail are in the retracted non-flight configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The kit system of  claim 8 , wherein the frame includes an upper frame member to which the engine and propeller assembly is secured, and a pair of side frame members that extend downwardly from opposite ends defined by the upper frame member and that are configured to be engaged with a frame of the automobile. 
     
     
         10 . The kit system of  claim 9 , wherein the retractable wing arrangement comprises a left wing section and a right wing section, wherein in the extended flight configuration the left and right wing sections extend outwardly from left and right sides, respectively, of the frame and wherein in the retracted non-flight configuration the left and right wing sections are positioned one on top of the other. 
     
     
         11 . The kit system of  claim 10 , wherein an inner end defined by the left wing section is secured to a first rotatable turret via a first linkage, and wherein the right wing section is secured to a second rotatable turret via a second linkage, wherein the first and second turrets are operable to rotate the left and right wing sections, respectively, between the extended flight configuration and the retracted non-flight configuration, and wherein the first and second linkages are configured to position the left and right wing sections one on top of the other when the left and right wing sections are in the retracted non-flight configuration. 
     
     
         12 . A method of converting an automobile for flight, comprising the acts of:
 providing an automobile including an interior passenger area;   securing a retractable wing arrangement to the automobile, wherein the retractable wing arrangement is movable between an extended flight configuration and a retracted non-flight configuration;   securing an engine and propeller assembly to the automobile; and   securing a tail arrangement to the automobile, wherein the tail arrangement is movable between an extended flight position and a retracted non-flight position.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the retractable wing arrangement, the engine and propeller assembly and the tail arrangement comprise components of a kit. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the kit further includes a frame to which the retractable wing arrangement, the engine and propeller assembly and the tail arrangement are secured, and wherein the acts of securing the retractable wing arrangement, the engine and propeller assembly and the tail arrangement to the automobile are carried out by securing the frame to the automobile. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the frame includes an upper frame member to which the engine and propeller assembly is secured, and a pair of side frame members that extend downwardly from opposite ends defined by the upper frame member, and further comprising the act of securing the side frame members with a frame of the automobile. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the tail arrangement is secured to the frame and is movable relative to the frame between the extended flight position and the retracted non-flight position. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the retractable wing arrangement comprises a left wing section and a right wing section, wherein in the extended flight configuration the left and right wing sections extend outwardly from left and right sides, respectively, of the automobile and wherein in the retracted non-flight configuration the left and right wing sections are positioned one on top of the other above the automobile and in alignment with a longitudinal axis defined by the automobile. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein an inner end defined by the left wing section is secured to a first rotatable turret via a first linkage, and wherein an inner end defined by the right wing section is secured to a second rotatable turret via a second linkage, wherein the first and second turrets are operable to rotate the left and right wing sections, respectively, between the extended flight configuration and the retracted non-flight configuration, and wherein the first and second linkages are configured to position the left and right wing sections one on top of the other when the left and right wing sections are in the retracted non-flight configuration.